MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) is urging the government to come up with an airport policy and masterplan for the aviation sector to address issues of connectivity and congestion, as well as promote regional development and sustainable growth.

On top of the group’s proposal is a dual-airport policy a new Metro Manila international airport and expansion  the Clark airport. PCCI said the Philippines, though located within four hours flying time from major capitals in the Asia-Pacific region, has been unable to capitalize on its strategic location to become an international gateway.

The group said the country’s aviation sector is suffering from problems such as insufficient investments in airport terminals, runways and communications facilities.

The lack of facilities have not only disrupted operations and compromised aviation safety, but also limited capacity of major gateways to expand and accommodate more incoming and outgoing aircrafts, it said.

It is also for these reasons that the country continues to lose out on the growing international tourism market to its neighboring countries, PCCI said.

“With the administration encouraging dispersal of investments, manufacturing and tourism to the countryside, we ask the government to evaluate the proposal for a twin-airport system with adequate long-term capacity,” the country’s largest business group said.

PCCI said such a strategy would also support the sustained growth of the Metro Manila area while easing urban congestion issues.

“With unsolicited proposals coming from the private sector, it would be good for government to ensure that decisions and the bidding process are done with full transparency,” PCCI said.